Central Arizona Supply introduces appliance division
Arizona’s largest family-owned and operated plumbing supply company, Central Arizona Supply, is expanding its merchandise offering this month with the introduction of an appliance division that will round-out its comprehensive inventory of parts, products and fixtures for every area of the home.
In a rare move for an independent business, the Mesa-headquartered company has signed deals with 20 major appliance retailers ranging from global giants such as Sub-Zero, Wolf and Monogram to boutique, high-quality brands like BlueStar, Bertazzoni and Smeg. The new division offers an extensive selection of appliances, as well as certified installation, including ranges, cooktops, ovens, microwaves, outdoor grills, range hoods, full-size refrigeration, column refrigeration, wine refrigeration, under-counter refrigeration, dishwashers and integrated coffee makers. Central Arizona Supply now carries the following brands: Alfresco Grills, Asko, Bertazzoni, Blue Star, Coyote Grills, Electrolux, LG, Ilve, Monogram, Perlick, Scotsman, Smeg, Speed Queen, Sub-Zero, Wolf & Cove, U-Line, Vent-A-Hood, Verona and Viking.
“This is a big move for us at Central Arizona Supply and we are proud to now offer a diverse selection of appliances that range from household names to more boutique brands,” said Jeremy Smith, owner and director of showrooms at Central Arizona Supply. “We pride ourselves on curating the industry’s most interesting and innovative products, at every price-point, that meet the highest quality craftsmanship, reliability and lasting durability standards. Our customers can now envision their homes in a new way by seeing, touching and feeling their appliances in a model-home setting before they buy.”
This one-of-a-kind buying experience is a trademark of the fourth-generation Central Arizona Supply, where each showroom is carefully curated for the market in which it serves. The expert showroom staff cater to individual styles and tastes to help customers personalize their space, walking them through the selection and design process to identify the right combination of products to fit the vision they have for their home. Central Arizona Supply’s personalized service offerings include “try before you buy” options and plumbing service counters available to assist with any and all plumbing needs.
Central Arizona Supply’s Scottsdale and Phoenix showrooms are the first of the company’s 10 Arizona locations to feature appliances, which are displayed within impressive full-scale kitchen vignettes. Flagstaff, Show Low and Mesa showrooms will follow suit in early 2020.
HomeSmart International dominates RISMedia 2020 Real Estate Newsmakers
Several HomeSmart International representatives made RISMedia’s 2020 Real Estate NewsMakers list for dedicating their careers to creating a better real estate process, working tirelessly for consumers and the greater good of homeownership.
“It is humbling to be included on such a prestigious list for another year,” said HomeSmart CEO and Founder Matt Widdows. “Thanks to our groundbreaking and hard-working team, many of whom are fellow 2020 Newsmakers, HomeSmart has impacted the industry and changed what it means to be a 100% model. We will continue to raise the bar on tech while providing the utmost customer service to our agents, brokers and consumers.”
Widdows was recognized for developing cutting-edge systems and proprietary technology that enables franchisees and agents to spend more time focusing on clients and profitability. In 2019, HomeSmart rolled out the rewrite of its proprietary RealSmart Broker and RealSmart Agent platforms.
Bryan Brooks, the senior vice president of franchise sales at HomeSmart International, spearheaded the company’s domestic and international franchise growth, which includes mergers, acquisitions, roll-ins and conversion opportunities. In 2019, the HomeSmart brand grew by more than 35 new franchises across six new states with two acquisitions that added more than 1,500 agents to the company.
“I am honored to be included in such an exclusive group of real estate leaders,” said Brooks. “HomeSmart is fortunate to be represented by so many on this list, which is a testament to how much we’ve grown and pushed the boundaries of the real estate industry in the past year.”
Randy Rector, CEO and owner of the HomeSmart Evergreen Realty franchise made the list for his creative business choices operating seven Orange County and Inland Empire offices in California. Rector said his business decisions are an example of the type of entrepreneurial thinking today’s market requires in order to provide more opportunities for agents and consumers.
RISMedia also highlighted Todd Sumney, chief industry officer, for his leadership in building the company’s brand, driving marketing, continuity and the adoption of HomeSmart tools and resources. He speaks to HomeSmart brokers and sales associates across the country about leveraging the power of the brand and teaches continuing education and marketing essentials at industry events. In 2019, Sumney helped numerous agents dramatically increase their transaction count.
“It brings me great pleasure when agents come back for my classes time and time again leaving motivated to do what they need to do to grow their businesses,” said Sumney. “I am truly passionate about serving and helping others.”
Another HomeSmart International team member was recognized for fighting for causes in her community. Vivi Gloriod, the owner and founder of Team Vivi in Denver, hosted a Casino Night fundraiser in 2019 to raise money for students and teachers in the Denver Public School System.
Offerpad expands to Birmingham and Jacksonville
After jointly announcing its intentions in November 2019 with Keller Offers, real estate tech innovator and Arizona-based Offerpad is now available to residents of Birmingham, Alabama and Jacksonville, Florida. The companies become the first national iBuyers to serve Alabama homeowners and buyers. Also, Offerpad is now in its third major Florida market. The moves were announced in late 2019 following a year full of diverse development by Offerpad which has helped it reach real estate consumers and build on its promise to “provide the best way to buy and sell a home.”
In 2019, Offerpad achieved additional market launches, investor financing, key leadership hires, strategic partnerships, and made product innovation announcements. It completed a headquarters move and was awarded new national and local business, tech, workplace, and leadership recognitions. Offerpad chief marketing officer, Darrin Shamo said, “The company remains intensely focused on improving its value proposition in residential real estate and has decisively–but carefully–taken these steps forward in order to be a resource to home consumers who seek control and convenience in their real estate experiences.”
Innovative Offerings
Offerpad unveiled Offerpad Greenhouse, the company’s research and development arm, and announced several new solutions for home buyers: Instant Own, Buyer Boost, and an innovative home customization tool. The company also optimized its Homebuilder Alliance program by adding consumer benefits and enhancing processes as well as partnering with more top builders around the country.
In 2019, Offerpad announced a partnership with Keller Offers. Under the mutual agreement, Offerpad is the acting facilitator for Keller Williams agents’ instant home offers. To provide this service, Keller Williams real estate agents received iBuyer training and the joint services have rolled out in Offerpad’s current markets with more planned for 2020, including Birmingham and Jacksonville.
Internal Growth
Throughout 2019, Offerpad hired for key leadership positions: chief financial officer, chief human resources officer, and national director of homebuilder alliances, among others. In all, the company continued its rapid hire rate growing another 20 percent in employee count.
Offerpad’s executives, leaders and teams were recognized with many new awards including five Stevies for Customer Service. Its new headquarters was also recognized by multiple outlets for its unique features and style.
Market Expansion
The company expanded to four new markets throughout 2019. Offerpad adopts a conservative, strategic approach to market expansion; the company prioritizes broadening its footprint in existing markets and launched in four new metro areas: Austin, Houston, Raleigh, and San Antonio. In total, Offerpad’s real estate solutions are currently available in nearly 800 cities and towns following the company’s expansions into the Birmingham and Jacksonville metro areas, which add about 60 municipalities.
About Ranking Arizona
Ranking Arizona is an annual publication that ranks businesses in more than 300 categories based on public voting in the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? The magazine is published by AZ Big Media. To learn more about Ranking Arizona, contact Sheri King, director of sales.
